A Small Dose of Heaven

I hiked  Sunken Garden Trail at Moraine State Park.  It was beautiful.  Relatively flat.

Views of Lake Arthur along the trail.

I think I found good shore fishing spots.  I wish Dad was here to take him to them.  Being at Moraine State Park makes me think of Dad because we often went fishing here.  I'd catch the fish and he would filet them.  Good times. 

I passed a couple walking with two small children and a third in a carrier on the man's back.  I thought how wonderful to start the kids out young getting out in nature.  Dad often took me to an undeveloped area in town that we walked around and let the dog run off-leash.  It was good times.  I've always been a nature person.  Not everyone is.  Mom is not.  Dad was.

Too Cute for Words

Angel resting in her hammock.  

Shielding her eyes from the light.

Sophie likes to go high.

Heaven

This is heaven for me.  I went camping near Cook Forest State Park.  I was as happy as I get.  Seneca Trail was uphill all the way for 20 minutes.  At the top was a fire tower that overlooked the forest.

My camp.

I was so happy the entire time I was out here camping.  I thought about jobs that I could get in this area so I could live up here.  Mom would be two hours away.  The winters are brutal for me because of the cold and gloom, but the spring, summer and fall are absolutely gorgeous.  So I just have to make it through the winter and then I can enjoy the rest of the seasons.

I visited Heaven today....

... and it smelled absolutely luscious....

... in the woods at Moraine State Park.  I hiked the Hill Top trail (long) and it only took me 38 minutes.  The combination of the long with the short trail takes about 50 minutes.  It is more strenuous too.

As you can see there is a lot more greenery in the woods now.

Yellow flowers were out in bloom in a sunny area of the woods.

Even I had to duck under this newly fallen tree.

Starbucks with Mom

Mom is always game for a trip to the Northland Library.  

 We went to Starbucks for a beverage treat afterwards.

Beautiful Tuesday May Day

Mom and I took a road trip which was cut short because the economy closed the stores we sought to go to.  We took a trip up to Volant hoping to visit a quilt store.  I want to make a lap quilt for my home.  When we got to Volant we were told the store had gone out of business.  So  we headed to Portersville to the Muddy Creek Quilt store and they were closed Mondays and Tuesdays.  Despite this, it was a beautiful day for a drive and pleasant time with mom.

Happy Mother's Day....

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, including mothers of the four-legged variety.  Our pets are living creatures whom we care for like a human mother cares for a human child.  We pour our love and lives into our pets.  We may not be traipsing them to soccer games or piano lessons, but they accompany us on every possible trip in the car.  They help get our lazy butts out the door for a little walk.  They ensure our carpets and furniture get vacuumed on a regular basis.  Our cupboards may be empty, but we always have food in the pantry for our pets, along with their favorite treats.  The only photograph that is framed and up in my home is a professional photograph of Molly.  You all know Molly.  I don't think I will ever be able to bring that photo down off the wall.  Angel and Sophie depend on me for their food and water, a warm, dry place to rest their heads, and a safe environment in which to live. So, to all Moms, I hope you had a great day.  I had a great day with my mother.  I am now at home with my kids.  We don't all sleep in the same bed. Angel likes her space.  Sophie and I sleep together and Angel sleeps in the window hammock by our bed.  I love you Mom.  I love you Sophie and Angel.  I love you Molly and all my deceased pets, including Pebbles.

Mom posing in her favorite chair.

Not the most flattering pic, but here I am knitting my EZ (Elizabeth Zimmermann) sweater.  I am ready to start the sleeves.

Late Friday Post

Every Friday morning a group of us knit in the cafe at Barnes & Noble in Cranberry.  All knitters are welcome. And crocheters too.  It is a very nice group of women.  Sometimes we number three: Connie, Mary Ann and myself.  Other times we number up to ten.

My good friend Vilma knitting the Reversible Cabled Scarf.

Connie is recycling a sweater.  She knit this from yarn unravelled from a sweater purchased at Goodwill.  Isn't is pretty?

Today's Quote

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.  

We are spiritual beings on a human journey.

 -Stephen Covey

Please Don't Laugh

Upon the suggestion of both Connie and Dawne, I drew sweaters and colored them in trying to figure out how I will finish knitting the EZ sweater.  I like the top left one the best.

Beloved Angel!!!

With a delayed flash digital camera, pictures of cats on the move are difficult to get.  

I'm making another batch of yogurt, using yogurt from my last batch for the starter yogurt.

Online Book Group

Are you interested in joining an online book group discussing The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley?  A magical saga of the women behind King Arthur's throne.... Please leave a comment if you are interested.  

A monumental reimagining of the Arthurian legends...reading it is a deeply moving and at times uncanny experience... An impressive achievement.   -The New York Times Book Review